Visa sponsorshipHome Office sponsor register · Skilled Worker route
This role is listed by an employer that holds a live Home Office sponsor licence on the Skilled Worker route.
Salary for this role£59,798 – £67,020 a year
Health and Care route minimum£25,000 a year
Pay basisNational pay scales (NHS bands)
NHS roles fall under the Health and Care Worker route. Salaries set by national pay scales (NHS bands) at or above the relevant band rate typically meet the occupation's requirement.
Individual eligibility depends on personal circumstances. These figures are public reference information, not advice or a verdict on this job.
Role description
Job summary
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Pathology Contracts Manager to manage, negotiate and monitor contracts and service level agreements for pathology and laboratory services across the HWE ICS partnership.
The postholder will provide contractual, financial and commercial advice to senior pathology leaders and Trust management, supporting high-quality, sustainable diagnostic services and effective system working with NHS providers, Integrated Care Boards and external partners.
You will bring significant contract and performance management experience, strong commercial insight and the ability to communicate and negotiate confidently across organisational boundaries.
Core hours are to be confirmed; the role requires travel across Trust sites and partner organisations.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will monitor pathology contracts, budgets, activity, KPIs, quality targets and provider performance, ensuring effective action where delivery varies from agreed requirements.
They will support contract negotiations, amendments and variation processes; undertake value-for-money assessments; identify and manage contractual, financial and service risks; and help resolve complex issues and complaints.
The role will analyse activity, demand, capacity and financial information to support planning, costing, income recovery and decision-making.
The successful candidate will prepare reports and briefings, chair contract review meetings, maintain robust records and build effective relationships with clinicians, operational leads, finance, procurement, commissioners, IT teams and the pathology service provider.
About us
With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please contactwestherts.recruitment@nhs.net If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Details
Date posted
27 October 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8a
Salary
£59,798 to £67,020 a year
inc. HCA
Contract
Secondment
Working pattern
Full-time,
Flexible working
Reference number
360-E-11850
Job locations
Cross Site
Watford
WD18 0HB
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role will ensure appropriate contracts are in place with the outsourced pathology provider and other external parties, and will evaluate and draft amendments where required.
Responsibilities include monitoring commissioned services, budgets, activity plans, finance, KPIs and quality targets; managing regular provider review meetings and resulting actions; supporting contract and financial modelling; and advising on value for money, cost pressures, variances and opportunities for efficiency or income optimisation.
The postholder will prepare complex contractual and financial information for senior managers, committees and Trust boards, contribute to policy and strategic planning, and support pathology transformation, GIRFT and network development.
Key relationships span senior leaders, pathology and clinical managers, finance, procurement, IT, commissioners, the PMO and external providers.
Core hours are to be confirmed. Travel across sites is required.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
Educated to degree level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area.
Record of continuous professional development. Training in all Trust policies and procedures.
Desirable
Training in contract law
Pathology specific training
Project Management
Professional (PMP), PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification.
Knowledge
Essential
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Understanding of policies, procedures and governance frameworks.
Strong organisational, planning and prioritisation skills
Excellent interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills.
Ability to manage difficult situations using tact, diplomacy and persuasion.
Proven track record of delivering business plans, projects and agreed milestones.
Significant management experience in a complex environment.
Experience of contract management and performance monitoring.
Experience managing complex contracts.
Experience working within multi-disciplinary and multi-professional teams.
Proven ability to work effectively across organisational boundaries.
Experience of leading complex commercial negotiations.
Ability to influence senior leaders and stakeholders to deliver change.
Significant senior-level experience within the NHS or healthcare sector.
Knowledge of NHS governance, procurement and contract management processes.
Understanding of Integrated Care Systems and partnership working.
Knowledge of financial management, budgeting and performance reporting.
Understanding of risk management and corporate governance
Knowledge of NHS service transformation and improvement programmes.
Understanding of commissioning, service development and business case processes.
Awareness of national NHS policy, contracting and funding arrangements.
Desirable
Strong understanding of pathology and wider healthcare operational processes
Knowledge of the NHS Contract Framework.
Knowledge of provider contract management and performance monitoring.
Understanding of NHS governance and procurement requirements.
Knowledge of risk management principles and methodologies.
Understanding of Integrated Care System (ICS) working.
Knowledge of pathology service delivery models.
Understanding of pathology network transformation programmes.
Knowledge of diagnostics transformation and service redesign.
Awareness of national pathology initiatives, including GIRFT
Understanding of commissioning and service planning within the NHS.
Knowledge of healthcare performance, quality and regulatory frameworks
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
